Meet Our Board

Shamara Kelly is a community organizer, an expert in domestic violence policy reform, and galvanizing survivors to bring about social change and empowerment. Shamara has focused on systemic change in child welfare, police reform, and revamping the emergency shelter system for survivors of violence. Shamara has conducted training with both the private and public sectors on domestic violence and effectively engaging survivors. Shamara’s most recent work includes developing community-based supports that do not involve government intervention in the New York City Metro Area. She is the co-founder of two community-based organizations, and also sits on many committees that impact survivors she truly believes when domestic violence is spoken about survivors should always be at the table.

Carmen Mercado is a Latina woman born and raised in the Bushwick neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York. She was subjected to mental health trauma due to witnessing Domestic Violence as a child as well as being in intimate partner violence relationships of her own. However, with her resilience and focus, she was able to thrive against her struggles. Currently, she is a single mother of three with an adorable fur baby. Her medical office education landed her a role as an Advanced Medical Support Associate at the VA Hospital. She is also an active member of the Domestic Survivor organization VOW and participants in their Steering Committee, where she helps change policies and advocates for survivors like herself. In 2023, Carmen was invited to speak on a survivor panel for the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene’s DV awareness event. Carmen hopes her life work will bring more awareness to the effects of Domestic Violence.